Trailer vehicle



March zz, 1932. f A B. ADMAQ 1,850,531

` TRAILER'VEHICLE Filed Sept. '7, 1923 3 SheetsfSheet l March 22, 1932. A, B, CADMAN TRAILER VEHICLE Filed sept. 7, 1923 s sheets-sheet 2 March 22,1932. A, B CADMAN 1,850,531

TRAILER VEHICLE Filed sept.v '7, 192s 3 sheetswsheevu s Patented LMa. 22, 1932 Y UNITED STA Tas PATENT ori-ica y IDI-)IL BENJAMIN CADIAN, 0F BELOIT, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR, BY MME ASSIGN HENTSjTO FRUEHAUF TRAILER COMPANY, 0Fv DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORA- 'rIoN or MICHIGAN TRAILER VEHICLE Application led September 7, 1923. Serial No. '$61,376.

l This invention relates to a combination vehicle including a tractor and a so-called -semitrailer and to novel andimproved features' of the vSenn-trailer.

5 The general objects of the invention are to produce a; vehicle in which the load on the trailer will bef distributed more evenly over the rear wheels of the tractor and the trailer, so as to enable heavier loads to be carried and effect 'better traction on the rear tractor wheels; to provide a construction by which the tractor and trailer may be coupledv and uncoupled automatically with greater facility and less shock than hasbeen possible with vehicles of this ,construction heretofore lmown; to provide supporting means for the forward end of the trailer when detached rom the tractor which means is automatically drawn forwardly into position properly to support the forward end of the trailer when the tractor is withdrawn and is automatically moved rearwardlyinto a position completely out of the way when the tractor is oeing coupled to provide means by which the forward end of the trailer will be automati-4 cally raised and supported free of the tractor as the latter is being disconnected and will be automatically lowered onto the tractor as the latter is being connected to the trailer; and to accomplish the foregoing in a simple, practical and eincient manner. l

Another object is to provide means by which the point of support of the trailer on the tractor is caused to travel forwardly along the trailer as the tractor is being detached, and simultaneously to cause the opera-- tion of themeans for supporting the trailer from the ground and for elevating the trailer away from the tractor as thetra'ctor is :I withdrawn` thereby utilizing the power stored up in the rear vehicle springs of the tractor to assist in'elevating the trailer. l Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description;

ln the accompanying drawings, Figs. l and 2 are diagrammatic views illustrating inl skeleton a vehicle embodying my invention, Fig. 1 showing the tractor and, trailer couv pled together ready to be driven, and Fig. 2

showing said elements in the condition which on an enlarged scale, showing the tractor and trailer in coupled relation. The uncoupled position of the trailer supporting means is indicated in dotted outline. Y

Figs. 4 andv 5 are fragmental plan views of the trailer showing the coupler carriage and support in their rearmost and foremost positions respectively.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmental plan view illustrating the coupler carriage and the coupling means thereon.

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the overlapping parts of the c011- nected trailer andy tractor frames, the viewbeing taken inthe plane of line 7-7-o Fig. 6 and looking in the-direction of the arrows.

Preliminary outline of general features rlhe connection 'between the tractor and trailer 'comprises a frame Uor carriage 18 which is mounted on the forward end of the body frame of the trailer and is arranged to slide a limited distance forward and back with respect to the trailer frame. This slidable frame is for convenience termed hereinafter a coupler carriage, since it carries coupling means which detachably engages an upright stud orking-pin 19 stationarily mounted on the tractor over the rear axle thereof.

The means by which the trailer body-frame is raised or lowered in the operation of detaching or connecting the tractor and trailer comprises'a support 20 which is also carried b. the trailer frame at the rear. of said cou-l p er carriage, the said support being slidably mounted 'on the trailer frame and being guidedY by inclined tracks to move forwardly and downwardly, or rearwardly and upwardly, with relation to said trailer frame. The said support which preferably carries land wheels 21 at its lower end, is connected to the said coupler carriage to be drawn forwardly or pushed rearwardly by the latter.

When the tractor is being disconnected from the trailer, brakes on the rear ywheels of the trailer are applied and the tractor is then driven out from under the forward end of the trailer. In the' movement of the tractor the carriage 18 and the support 20 on the trailer are drawn forwardly together, said support at the same time moving downwardly lnto engagement with the ground and the inclined tracks thereby causing said support to raise the forward end of the trailer and remove its weight from the tractor. .At the end of the forward travel of the coupler carriage the couplin means onsaid carriage is opened to release tie kin pin 19 on the tractor so. that the latter is ee to be driven away, the forward end of the trailer then resting upon said support which bears upon the ground.

In this condition the Carriage occupies a position at the extreme forward end of the trailer frame.

When the tractor and trailer are to be conp nected the tractor is backed underneath the trailer until'the king pin 19 on the tractor enga the coupling means on the carriage 18, w ereupon continued rearward movement of the tractor w1ll move the carriage rearwardl and the support 20 will simultaneously moved rearwardl and upwardly to lower the forward end o the trailer frame onto the tractor and finally raise the said support clear of the ground. he carriage 18 now 'voccupies a positionconsiderably rearward from the forward end of the trailer frame and the support 20 is, of course, still farther rearward and elevated so thatthe support is endo free from obstruction'with the rear the tractor as the latter is turning corners.l Furthermore, the trailer frame projects a considerable distance forwardly of the king pin 19 which is the center ofthe supporting means Yon the tractor, so that the entire?7 load on the trailer frame is distributed more .the particular embodiment of my invention which isA illustrated in the drawings. It

"should be understood, however, that my invention is susceptible of embodiment in many dierent forms or structures and that the present disclosure is given for the purpose'.

of imparting an understanding of the invention but without any intention to limit the invention to the particular embodiment shown and described. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The sl'able carriage and coupling mams The body frame 10 of the trailer, upon which any desired style of load carrying body may be mounted; is herein shown as comprising two side channel beams having their flanges facing outwardly, said beams being connected at suitable points by lcross beams 22 to form a rigid frame.

The carriage 18 comprises two sides, which *guide frames 24 extending longitudinally within the trailer frame and being station- I arily secured thereto. Each of these guide framescomprises a horizontal stri 24* which is secured to the under sides o the cross beams 22 of the trailer frame, but is spaced from said cross beams by a gib 25 to provide the guideway for the upper flange of one of the side channels of the carriage. Eachof the said guide frames also comprises a vertical portion 24" dependingv from said horizontal strip, said vertical portion being connected by upright arms at its ends to said horizontal strip.` The lower bars of these vertical portions lie inside of the upturned guide flanges 23l of the bottom casting of the carriage 18;

The side channels of the carriage are provided with bearings in which are mounted vtwoshafts 26 and 27 extending transversely `of the trailer frame and each carrying a pair .of rollers 28 on its ends to underlie-and `engage with a pair of stationary tracks 29 on vthetrailer frame, said shafts passing through lthe open space within .the guide frames 24.'

When the traileillis resting on the tractor the ioo weight of the `foicward part of the trailer is borne by the four rollers 28. The carriage is also-provided with a third paipof rollers 3o f which run uponla circle 31 that is rigidly mounted onthe'tractor. This circle 31 has l a pair of inclined ways 32 at its rear side up which the rollers 30 may ride during coupling so as to allow the trailer frame to pass .over the king pini Such operationwould take place, for example, where the wheelsv21 of the trailer when detached happen to rest in a depression in the ground.,

The base plate 23 of the carriage y18 has mounted thereon the coupling means to engage withv the king pin 19 on the tractor. This coupling means in the present instance comprises a pair of complementar jaws 33 pivoted on vertical axes 34 to the ase plate 23 at opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the trailer, said jaws being adapt-l ed to embrace the king pin 19. The forward edge of the base plate 23 has a notch 23c formed therein with widely Haring sides, the.

. to receive the wings and allowl the jaws to spread outwardly and permit the. escape of the king pin therefrom. This occurs only when the tractor is to be disconnected from the trailer, at which time the carriage 18 is drawn fgrwardly by the king pin as the tractor is pulled out from beneath the trailer, as before explained.

` Means is provided for automatically locking the carriage 18 in its foremost position and for automatically unlocking the carriage to permit it tovbe moved rearwardly bythe tractor in the connecting operation. This locking means in the exemplary form herein shown comprises a dog 36 pivoted between its ends upon the shaft 26 of the carriage, the forward end of the dog having a notch to engage a stationary part on the front end of the trailer frame. A spring 37 tends to hold the dog in position to engage said part. When the carriage 18 is moved to its foremost position a caml face on the front end of the dog causes the dog to be moved down un.

t1l the notch 1s 1n posltion to engage sa1d '51 on the rear axle of the trailer.

part. The rear end of the dog is arranged to 'be engaged by the king pin 19 vwhen the tractor is being backed underneath the trailer, so as to disengage the notch from the stationary part of the trailer frame and permit the carriage to be slid rearwardly.

When the carriage 18 is in its rearmost position it is so held by latch means which in the present instance comprises a horizontal rod38 journaled transversely in the trailer frame and having one or more latches 39 mounted thereon in such position that as the carriage moves rearwardly the shaft 27' in said carriage will engage the latches 39 and raise them out of the way, said latches dropping in front'of .said shaft when the latter passes. A spring 40- may be employed to hold the latches in their llocking position.

The trailer supporting and ele/eating means The means by which the frontiend ofthe trailer frame is raised and supported .in elevated position when the tractor 'is being uncoupled or is lowered into engagement with the tractorwhen the latter is being backed underneath the trailer comprises the1 support 20 heretofore mentioned. In the exemplary form herein disclosed this support comprises a kpair of vertically disposed triangular frames in the lower corners of which is mounted an axle 41 on which the lground wheels 21 are carried. These two side frames are rigidly connected together and braced by means of a suitable number of cross pieces 42 so as to form a strong unitarysupport. rAt the upper rear corn-ers of this support are mounted two rollers 43 which run in inclined tracks 44. These tracks in the present instance are shown in the form of inwardly facing channels rigidly mounted on the trailer framework. At the upper for-y ward corners of the support 20 are also mounted two pairs of (fo-acting rollers 45 and 46 which engage a pair of inclined tracks 47 also rigidly mounted on the trailer frame.

These latter tracks are herein shown as an- -1 gular or L-shaped inl cross-section, the pair ward end portions of the tracks44 and 47 are substantially horizontal so that the weight of the trailer when elevated does not tend to move the support 2O rearwardly.

The support as a whole is connected to and spaced from the carriage 18 b v suitable means such as a pair of rods 48 so that the support and the carriage move forwardly and backwardly as a unit on the body frame of the trailer.

l have herein shown in a somewhat dia= grammatic way a braking means for the trailer comprising a hand lever 49 pivoted at its lower end upon the trailer frame and connected by suitable linkage 50 to the brakes Operation Assuming the structure to be in the assembled condition s shown in Fig. 1, the operation of disconnecting the tractor from thetrailer is as follows: The operator moves the brake lever 49 to set the brakes, and raises the latches 39 to inoperative position. The tractor is then driven forwardly and in this movement the king pin 19 will draw for wardly the carriage 18 and the support 20.- In its forward movement the support is I tion of the inclined. Atracks will cause the front end of the trailer to be gradually raised. Inthis movement the rear vehicle springs 15 of the tractor will assist in elevating the trailer until said springs have given up the power stored in them by the weight thereon.y In Fig.v3 the support 20 is shown in full lines in its rearmost position and in dotted lines in its foremost position. The

amount of deflection 'of the rear tractor" springs 15 due to the trailer load is indicated roughly by the distance between the line a representing the surface of the ground, and the dotted line b.

At the time the coupling jaws 33 arrive opposite the notches in the guide frames 24 said jaws will be allowed to spread apart by entry of the win s 33a on the jaws into said notches, and the ing pin 19 is then released fromthe jaws. At this time the trailer frame has been elevated free of the tractor and is being supported solely on the land wheels 21 so that the tractor may bedrivenaway independently of the' trailer. the king pin between its upper iange and the 'circle 31 is such as to allow for vertical movement of the jaws 33as the trailer is elevated bythe supporting frame 20. lThe dog 36 has also been automatically engaged with the front cross piece on the trailer frame to yhold the carriage 18` and thefsupport 20 in their foremost position.

vIn the reverse operation of assembling the tractor with the trailer Ythe tractor is backed underneath the trailer, whereupon the king pin 19 will engage the dog 36 and release it from the trailer frame to permit the car riage 18 to be moved rearwardly. In its further movement the king pin will strike the heels of the jaws 33 and enter the notch l 23 in the carriage 18 and upon vstriking the j er frame onto the tractor. When fully supy entire base of the notch will move the carriage rearwardly. The wings 33 on the coupling jaws 33 will be forced out of the notches35 to cause the jaws to close about the kin pin, and in rearward movement the jaws will slide along the inner faces of the guide frames 24, maintaining the jaws closed. The support 2 0, of course, moves rearward- 1y and u wardly along the inclined tracks 44 and 47 t ereby gradually lowering the trailported bythe tractor, continued rearward movement of the sup ort 20will raise it out of -engagementwith t e ground until finally it is war y of the end ofthe tractor sov as to 'be y out ofthe way.y I When the -carriage 18 approaches its rearmost position thel shaft 27 enga s' and swings the latches -39 until thesha t passes ,the rear ends of said latches whereupon the 'latter drop in front. ofsaid shaft and lock the carriage in its rearmost position. Furvtlielrearward movement yof the carriage is The length 4of y 'tioned a considerable distance rear-- Vprevented by its engagement with stationaryV stops on the trailer rame. Y The trailer brakes are then released by means of the lever 49 and the vehicle as a unit is then completely coupled and ready to be driven away.

In some of the vehicles of this type' in the.

prior art the point of pivotal connection be tween the trailer and the tractor has been located at the extreme forward end of the trailerv frame. It will be noted that in my vehicle the kin pin when the -parts are finally coupled isl ocated well rearwardly fromthe forward end of the trailer frame. With this arrangement a substantial portion of the load .on the trailer may be located in front of the king pin so that if desired approximately A. one-half of theftotal load on the trailer may be borne by the rear traction wheels of the tractor, the other half, of course, being borne by the rear trailer wheels. This apportionment of the load has very important advantages, among which are the attainment of better traction of the rear traction wheels and the increase in the total load capacity of the trailer by reason of the relieving of the rear trailer wheels of a substantialportion of the ice operation is performed by the carriagel and is specifically here the raising and lowering of the su porting member, but obviously it might per orm some other work or service operation on the trailer.

I claim as my invention: 1. A combination vvehicle of the character described comprising a tractor section, a

' trailer section, means mounted on one of said sections for coupling said sections together', said means being arranged to travel longivtudinall on its carrying section, and means mounte on one of said sections andactuated by saidtravelling coupling means for causv sections are being uncoupled and for causing` lthe loweringf said trailer section when sai sections arev ing connected.v 2. A trailer having, in combinatioma body frame supported at its rearend u on wheels,

inclined guides carried by said odyframef Y ahead of said wheels, and a structure carried by said body frame and movable 'asa unit forwardly andrearwardly along said frame,

said structure comprising a portion .having coupling means to connect with a tractor, and a trailer supporting yportion arranged lto move v along said guidesidbwnwardly and forwardly ing elevation of said trailer section when saidles;

I as said structure moves forwardly,and rearwardly and upwardly as said structure moves body frame whendetached from a tractor,

and lmeans operable by the tractor in withi drawing from the trailer or backing under the trailer for causing said supporting means I to be moved into or outrof engagement with the ground and thereby elevate or lower the front portion of the body frame.

4. A semi-trailer having movable means for supporting the forward end thereof when detached from a tractor, which means is operable by the tractor in withdrawing from or backing under the trailer to cause the trailer to be elevated. as the tractor withdraws and to be lowered as the tractor backsunder the trailer.

l5. Atrailer-provided with a shi'fta'ble carriage having coupling means to connect with a tractor, and a land engagin wheel moved to raise and lower the trailer gy the shifting vof'said carriage.

6. A trailer having coupling means mounted thereon to move bodily forward and back alongthe-trailer, and a land engaging wheel moved to raise the trailer onl forward motion of said 'means' and to lower the trailer on rearward motion of said means. l

7. The combination of a tractor having la king pin and circle at its rear end, a semiltrailer arranged to have its yfront end supported on said circle having coupling means comprising a paii` of horizontally swinging jaws for engaging said king pin mounted on its forward portion and arranged to be slid` forwardly and rearwardly by the tractor, means for lookin@ the coupling means in its rear position, and5 means for holding the coupling means closed in any position other than its forward position and for permitting opening of the coupling means when in its forward position and allowing escape therefrom of said couplin element on the tractor.

8. The combination of a tractor having a coupling element at its rear end, a semi trailer, coupling means movably mounted on `the forward portion of the semi-trailer and i arranged to engage said element on the tractor and be moved forward and back thereby,

means for locking said coupling in eans in its rearmost position, means for locking said couplin means in its foremost position, `and g means orholding said coupling means in operative condition exceptwhen in its foremost position and for permitting movementV of the said coupling means when in its foremost posit/ion to allow escape of said coupling element therefrom, the said means for locking said coupling means in its foremost `position operating automatically` to effect a lock and being operable automatically by the tractor when backing under the trailer to unlock said coupling means and permit rearward travel thereof. v

9. The combination of a tractor, a semitrailer, coupling means movably mounted 0nponent of said land engaging means, the operation of said land engaging means serving to remove the weight of the trailer from the tractor.

' 10. The'combination 'of a tractor, a semi.-

trailer, coupling means mounted on they for-- ward portion of said trailer arranged to coact with and be shifted forward and back relative to the trailer by a part on said tractor, and means carried by the trailer and operable inthe shifting movement of said coupling means to raise or lower the forward end of said trailer out of or into operative relation to said tractor.

1l. The combination of a' tractor, a semitrailer, means mounted on the trailer to travel forward and back, by which means the forward portion of said trailer is supported upon and coupled t6 said tractor, means for llocking the first named means in fixed position, and supporting means actuated in the movement of said firstA mentioned means in the forward direction to raise the forward end of the trailer.

4l2. A trailer having, in combination, a frame, wheels supporting the rear end of said frame, an auxiliary support for the front end of said frame, said support being movable in a path inclined with respect to the frame, whereby the front of the trailer will be moved substantially in a vertical direction. V

13. A trailer having, in combination, a frame, a wheeled support for one end of the frame, a second support for the other end of said frame, a pat way connected with the me v frame wherein the second support is movable,

the motionof the support in the pathway bein adapted to change the distance between the rame and the lower end of Isaid second support.

A 14. In a trailer of the class described a coupling device comprising, a slidablel memv ber, a tapered notchadapted to receive a king pin moved thereinto, a semi-circular termination of the tapered' notch adapted to' pivtally receive the king pin where king pin moves the sliding member, clampl ing jaws adapted to enclose-the king pin onrearward motion lof the sliding member, means to close the aws and to permit opening of the jaws in the forward position4 of the.` p

locking means for the slid-`v las'Y i tor, thetractor having a pivotal connecting means and a supporting circle, the trailer having a sliding member carryinga coupling device adapted pivotally to engage the pivotal means of the tract/or, a part on the tractor j being adapted to engage and slide rearwardly the sliding member on the trailer, means .connected to the sliding member adapted to permit lowering of the trailer onto the supporting circle of the tractor, and means to lock the moving parts in their operative 16. A combination vehicle of the c aracter described comprising, in combination, a tractor section and a trailer section, said trailer section being adapted to have its rear end horizontally stationary and its forward end vertically movable, a movable structure in the trailer section having its forward end movable with respect to the trailer section and its rear end vertically movable with respect to the trailer section, land engaging means carried by said structure whereby to raise the forward end of the trailer by a horizontal.

motion ofthe forward end of the movable structure, and means on the movable structure arranged to engage the tractor section whereby said structure will be actuated by relative horizontal motion between the trailer section and the tractor section. f'

17. A cmbined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer for performing a service operation, an element movably mounted on the trailer, horizontally swinging jaws provid'- ing a connection between said element and.

the tractor while the tractor is being uncouled from the trailer, the power of the tractor being thereby ap lied positively to actuate said element, sai jaws operating automatically near the end of the uncoupling opera-k tion for rendering said connection ineffective after the.. service operation has beenv performed.

18. A combined vehicle of the tractor and semi-trailer t pe comprising, in combination, a. tractor wit a king pin, a trailer, an element movably mounted on the trailer, kingpin engaging 'aw means for connect-ing said element and t e tractor so that the element will be moved by the tractor while the tractor is being detached from the trailer, and means operating on jaw means to maintain the connection between the tractor and said element` during the vmajor portion of the uncoupling operation and to automatically release said jaw means from the king pin.

19. A combined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, an element movably mounted on the trailer, a supporting member carried; by the trailer and operatively associated with said i when detache element, -said member being arranged to be moved into a osition to support the trailer (i) from the tractor, horizontally swinging jaw means to connect said element sition;

to the tractor whereby the power of the tractor will be appliedpositively to move saidI member into supporting position, and said guides for the jaw means operating automatically after said supporting member has reached its supporting position to release said connecting meansjthereby freeing said trac` tor from said element. 20. A combined vehicle of the tractor-semitrailer type comprising, in combination, a

tractor, a trailer, a carriage mounted to slide rearwardly during coupling'and forwardly v duringuncoupling of the tractor and trailer,

a king pin on the tractor, means on said carriage providing a coupling socket for receiving saidlking pin, and stationar cam means on the trailer arranged to hol said socket closedabout the king pin during the uncoupling-operation and to allow the socket to open automatically near the end of the uncoupling operation.

2l. A combined vehicle of the tractor semitrailer type comprising, in combination, a

tractor, a trailer, a service element' mounted on the trailer to move back and forth dur-ing coupling and uncoupling of the tractor and trailer, a coupling device on the tractor, a pair of movable oppositely facing jaws pivoted onsaid elelnent and providing a socket for said coupling device, and guides for holding said jaws'closed about said device during uncoupling and automatically releasing the jaws near the end of the uncoupling stroke.

22. tractor and semi-trailer having, in

automatically upon relative movement between said sections to perform a service operation, and means for locking said sections in coupled relation. v

24. In a semi-trailer, a lockin device for locking the trailer to a tractor 01- drawin the same, comprising a reciprocable hea a pair of jaws ivoted to the head, guiding devices for gui ying the head and jaws, these guide devices being such so as to cause the jaws to hold a locked position at one end of their movement, and permitting them to assume unlocked position at the opposite end of their movement, means for holding the head against reciprocation when the engaging members are in locked position and means connected to the head and extending toward the rear of the trailer for doing work.

-25. A combined vehicle of the characterldescribed comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, a coupling head mounted on the trailer to be moved back and forth respectively in the movement of the tractor in coupling to and uncoupling from the trailer, a member for supporting the forward end of said trailer when detached from the tractor, said member being connected to said head and adapted to be moved from inactive to active position in the forward movement of said head during uncoupli11g,.a king pin on the tractor, a pair of-horizontally swingable jaws pivoted on said' head and cooperating to provide a forwardly opening socket for receiving said king pin, stationary guides on said trailer operable on said jaws to hold said socket closed during the rearward' and forward movement of said head, said guides being sha ed topermit opening ci said socket after sai supporting member has reached its active osition, and means iter locking 'said head in its rearmost or coupled position so that the pull of the 'tractor will be applied to the lraier through the medium of said coupling 26. A combined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, asupport for the forward end of said trailer when detached from the tractor, and coupling mechanism by Which'sa'id support is actuated and the tractive force of the tractor is ap lied to the trailer for drawing the saine, sai mechanism comprising a head connected to said support and mounted to move back andA forth on the trailer by movement .of the tractor in couplineto and uncoupling from the ltrailer thereay actuating said support, a kin pin on the tractor, means on said head provi ing a socket for receiving said king.pin,means operable to maintain said socket closed lduring .the uncoupling stroke ot said head until said support has been moved into active position and then to release said kin pin automatically, and manually controlla le means for locking said head in its rearmost position in the trailer during combined operation of the tractor and trailer.

27. A combined vehicle of the character described comprising, in combination, a tractor, a trailer, a coupling head mounted on the trailer to'be moved back and forth in the Y movement of the tractor relative to the trailer in coupling to and uncoupling from the trailer, a' vertical king pinon the tractor, a4

pair of jaws on said head adapted to provide a forwardly opening socket to pivotally rewhich are positionedto engage said king pin' and guide the king pin into said socket as the tractor is VbackedY underY the trailer to couple thereto. Y

. 28. A. combined vehicle offthe character tor, a trailer, a coupling head mounted on the trailer to be moved back and forth bythe `tractor in coupling to and uncoupling from the trailer, a vertical king pin on the tractor, means on said head adapted to provide'a forwardly opening socket to pivote-ll receive said king pin, means opera ment of said head to permit the opening and closing of said socket about the kin pin, said described comprising, in combination, altrac- I le in t e movemeans being shaped to permit-sai socket to be opened in the foremost position of said head, andimeans on the trailer providing a rearwardly diverging notch the" edges of which are positioned to en age said king pin I and to guide the king pin intosaid socket as the tractor is'backed under the trailer to couple thereto.

29. In a semi-trailer in Vwhich a tractor is arranged to be backed into a trailer to couple the two together and transfer the forwardy part of the trailer onto the tractor, one or more horizontally swinging jaws on one vehicle, a king pin on the other arranged to move the said jaws to closed positiony'means by which the jaws are held in position closed about the king pin including releasable devices to permit the king pin to open the said v socket for said king pin,'a service element connected with said jaws to move forwardly and backwardly when said hing pin moves said jaws, and thereby perform a service operation Aupon' said trailer.

31. ln a tractor trailer combination wherein a tractor is adapted to be backed under the forward end of a trailer and coupled thereto, and a movable support is adapted to support the forward end oie a trailer when detached from the tractor -tractor controlled means for raising and lowering the said support and securing it in either position, said means 'including a member articulated with the support and adapted to be actuated by the tractor, and a latch mechanism carried b said member and adaptedv to be actuated y 'the tractor in advance of said member to release the member so that the tractor may actuate vthe member to raise said support when backing under the trailer.

32.- A tractor trailer combination as called for'in claiml, and means on said member enga eable by the tractor adapted to pull the mem r and cause the movable support to be lowered. v-

33. In a tractortrailer combination wherein a tractor is adapted to be backed under the fbrward end of a trailer and coupled thereto,

and a movable support is adapted to support the forward end of the trailer when detached from the tractor -a member and latch mech,- anism operatable by the tractor for adjusting the movable support and securing it in an adjusted position, said mechanism including a member articulated with the movable support,.means on the forward end of said member engageable with the tractor part so that said member may be pulled forward by the tractor to adjust the movable support, and a latch device controlled by the tractor part for securing the member in an adjusted position.

34. In a tractor trailer combination wherein a tractor is adapted to be backed under the forward end of a trailer and coupled thereto,

and a movable supportl is adapted to support the forward end of the trailer when detached from the tractor; tractor controlled means for lowering the movable support, said means including a member articulated with a mov-v able support and adapted to be automatically coupled to the tractor and released therefrom so that as the tractor pulls away from the trailer the member is actuated to lower said support, and a latch mechanism associated with the member and adapted to secure the support in a lowered position.

35. Ina tractor trailer coupling wherein a coupler head is adapted to receive a couplin pin located on the tractor, a pair of pivoted knuckles arranged to cooperate with the coupler head and close around the coupling pin and spread to release the coupling pin, and

' means by which the knuckles are both kept locked about the coupler pin as the coupler pin moves into engagement with and actuates the knuckles, the said coupler head, tlm'y said knuckles and the said means being ar ranged so that either knuckle may hold the pin during service activity independent of the other knuckle to maintain service activity in the presence of disablement of either knuckle.

36. In a tractor trailer combination wherein a tractor is adapted to be backed under the forward end of a trailer and coupled thereto. means for supporting the forward end of the trailer when detached from the tractor including alatch for holding the same in supporting position'and adapted to be actuated and released by the tractor in advance of actuation of the support so that the tractor Amay actuate said means to raise the supporting part to the non-supporting position whenv the tractor is backed under the trailer.

In testimony whereof, 'I have hereunto affixed my signature.

ADDI BENJAMIN CADMAN. 

